Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) — After a China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannon on Philippine boats, an official from the Chinese government said the West Philippine Sea issues must “be properly resolved through dialogue and consultation.”
“It won’t do anyone good to adopt a confrontational attitude, or to leave our relations to instigation and disruption,” Chinese Embassy deputy chief of mission Zhou Zhiyong said during a forum on Monday.
He also echoed China’s stance that the United States government was the “mastermind” behind the issues in the contested waters, including “ arousing contradiction and even confrontation between China and the Philippines.”
READ: China claims US ‘mastermind’ behind South China Sea arbitration case; US says it’s ‘an insult to PH’
“We hope that the Philippine sides will remain vigilant against the masterminds behind all this and keep hands on the wheels for peace and tranquility in the South China Sea,” he said.
US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet earlier dismissed the allegation as “preposterous” and “an insult” to the Philippines.
The Chinese officer also reiterated that Manila has promised to Beijing that it would remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, a claim that was refuted by Filipino officials.
